Chie Filomeno. Image: Athena Bueno via Instagram/@chiefilomeno
When asked how she sees her life in the present, Chie Filomeno said she’s “really happy” with the blessings she’s receiving, including her flourishing career, family life, and her lowkey relationship with Jake Cuenca.
Filomeno told reporters that reaching the point of “self-confidence and happiness” was a long and tedious process. But when she found her stride, she considered herself at her “most beautiful” in the company of the people she loves.
“I’m really happy with everything — my love life, my career, my family, my management, and all the blessings,” she said on the sidelines of a brand launch in Taguig last May.
“Ang tagal din paano ko nakuha ang self-confidence ko (Achieving self-confidence on my own terms took a long time). It’s a long process but know that we’re all surrounded by people that we love. I feel most confident and beautiful with the people that I love.”
Touching on the topic of her love life, Filomeno shared that there was a conscious effort between her and Cuenca to keep their relationship “lowkey.” The actress confirmed they are dating in August 2023, and so far, she’s really happy with their blooming romance.
“We’re really happy. We’re keeping things lowkey. First time ko ring, we know that he’s already Jake Cuenca, pero nirerespeto niya kung anong gusto kong mangyari and time (but he respects what I want and my time),” she said.
The actress said that despite their romance, she doesn’t want to solely be known as the actor’s “significant other.”
“I don’t want to be Jake Cuenca’s someone or significant other. He’s very respectful in that aspect. Kung ano ‘yung (What happens in our) private life, it’s not a secret, we’re just keeping it private,” she said.
READ: Chie Filomeno on body shamers: ‘I’m healthy inside and out’
Chie Filomeno on the sidelines of a brand launch. Image: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net
On ‘Can’t Buy Me Love,’ being BINI’s ate
Filomeno also shared that on a short break after her role as Jersey Lim in the hit series “Can’t Buy Me Love,” but hinted that she has projects lined up.
“Nakakatuwa kasi hindi lang kami ang nandito sa journey na ‘to, pati ang mga manonood… Nakakatawa kasi nandito kami sa journey para hanapin kung sino pumatay kay Auntie Divine. I’m happy and grateful sa overwhelming support na binibigay ng mga tao sa ‘Can’t Buy Me Love,’” she said.
(It makes me happy that we’re not solely in this journey, the viewers were also part of it as well. It sometimes makes me laugh that we’re here to find out who killed Auntie Divine. I’m happy and grateful for the overwhelming support we received in “Can’t Buy Me Love.”)
The actress starred as the onscreen best friend of Belle Mariano and Darren Espanto in the series, where she ultimately ended up with Espanto’s character.
During the interview, Filomeno also spoke about her friendship with the P-pop girl group BINI, saying she considers herself as their ate or big sister.
“Sobrang nakakatuwa. I’ve seen them grow. I’ve seen their hardships. Pinaghirapan talaga nila ‘yung [success] nila,” she said. (I’m so happy seeing them now. I’ve seen them grow. I’ve seen their hardships. They worked hard for their success.)
Filomeno has been open about her support for BINI on multiple occasions, such as participating in the group’s “Grand Pantropiko Day” in the variety show “ASAP Natin ‘To” last April and sporting a BINI-themed shirt at the Star Magic All Star Games. She was also mentioned as the celebrity girl crush of BINI’s main vocalist Colet.
“Ako ‘yung proud ate kasi finally, may [malakas nang] platform na ang P-pop. Nasha-share na ang kultura natin sa mundo. Nakikita na natin kung g’ano [kasikat] ang BINI ngayon and I’m just really happy and grateful na finally Filipinos naman,” she said.
(I’m their proud ate because finally, P-pop has a stronger platform. We can finally share our culture with the world. We see how famous BINI is now, and I’m just really happy and grateful that finally, Filipinos are taking center stage.)
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